Sprouted Seeds  

(Note: Check the hyperlinks on this page for independent research and other sources that highlight the benefits of sprouted seeds.)

Flax, lentils and other seeds are packed with nutrients but nature locks them in with a protective coating designed to keep them intact until ready to grow into plants. This
allows only a fraction to be digested and absorbed by your body. So when seeds pass through you or your pet they’re over-prepared to start a new life in the soil. Sounds somewhat wasteful? We think so. That’s why we use sprouted seeds to reclaim some
of these lost nutrients.

Carna4’s unique recipe uses freshly sprouted USDA Organic Certified and KSA Kosher Certified lentil seeds, barley seeds and flaxseeds. Sprouting (or germinating) the seed unlocks nature’s protective coating — boosting the bio-available nutrients in our food to unheard of levels.

Essentially, germination activates “sleeping” enzymes, bringing the seeds to life with increased vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, while neutralizing anti-nutrients, such
as phytic acid, which will otherwise hinder nutrient absorption.

So exactly what happens and how does it help your pet?

When seeds sprout, they:

  • Defuse anti-nutrients, such as phytic acid, which will otherwise stop your pet from absorbing sufficient nutrition – Sprouting neutralizes anti-nutrients, such as phytic acid, a plant fiber molecule that bonds with minerals (like iron, zinc, magnesium and calcium) so they pass through the body with undigested or unsprouted seeds, robbing your pet of vital nutrients. These inhibitors can only be decreased through sprouting — not by milling or grinding.
  • Become more nourishing by boosting available vitamins, minerals and other nutrients – Sprouting increases the availability of vitamins (by 2 to up to 9 times for flaxseed), minerals (calcium, iron, magnesium & potassium) and amino acids or protein levels.
  • Activate sleeping enzymes, making it easier for your pet to digest and absorb nutrients – Sprouting wakes dormant enzymes and increases their activity by up to 6 times, transforming complex carbohydrates and proteins into simpler forms to make nutrients more digestible and easier to absorb.

Simply put, sprouting live seeds….

But that’s only the beginning. Here are 8 more things sprouted seeds can do for your pet:

  1. Increase antioxidants by up to 9,600% to help your pet tackle cancer-causing free radicals – When seeds sprout, there is a significant increase in vitamins, especially natural antioxidants like Vitamin C and E, particularly with flaxseed. These antioxidants fight free radicals and also help preserve food by protecting polyunsaturated fats from oxidation.
  2. Sprouted seeds have very high levels of Omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to reduce the effects of arthritis and offer other health benefits to dogs – The Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association published a series of studies in early 2010, on the possible benefits of food with high Omega-3 fatty acid concentrations for dogs with osteoarthritis.
  3. Prevent stomach upset and reduce intestinal gas (an added bonus for all) – Sprouting activates food enzymes to lower the body’s need to produce its own enzymes and in doing so, reduce intestinal gas by alleviating stress on the pancreas, which can cause digestive dysfunction over time.
  4. Encourage probiotics or “good bacteria” growth to help keep your pet’s digestive tract clean and healthy – Sprouted seeds, especially flaxseed, are excellent sources of naturally-occurring probiotics, which have a high survival rate, even through baking, because they stay in the nurturing comfort of their native host.
  5. Increase soluble fiber, while reducing insoluble fiber to help toxins leave your pet’s body more efficiently – Sprouting reduces insoluble fiber by as much as 50% and increases in the ratio of soluble to insoluble fiber by as much as 30%. When soluble fiber flows through the arteries, it starts binding with cholesterol and other toxins to help clean the body.
  6. Provide less carbohydrates and “empty” calories – to maintain optimal condition.
  7. Lower gluten and have lower glycemic levels — making them ideal for pets with blood sugar issues and diabetes – Sprouted seeds have lower glycemic levels because portions of their carbohydrates are used up in the germination process.
  8. Deactivate aflotoxins, which are cancer-causing toxins produced by fungus in grains — to avoid disease.

We’re just beginning to discover the modern-day benefits of this ancient food that traces back to the days when we ate our seeds partially germinated after they’d stood in open fields. With Carna4’s combination, sprouted seeds could top the list of functional foods
for you and your pet.